Indianapolis 500 Milk Bottle

The Drink of Milk in Victory Lane
For over 70 years, winners of the Indianapolis 500 have celebrated in Victory Lane (now Victory Circle) with a hearty swig from an ice-cold bottle of milk – a ceremony recognized around the world as unique to the Indy 500.
In an interview shortly before his death in 1995, Meyer recalled that his favorite beverage during his driving years was buttermilk and that’s what he asked for following the second of his three wins. Three years later, on the occasion of his third 500-Mile victory, he was photographed drinking milk in Victory Lane. Several years after that, the Bottle of Milk became a permanent part of the post-race celebration when Anton “Tony” Hulman decided that milk was a wholesome and appropriate beverage for Victory Lane festivities. For those who may be wondering what the winning driver drinks, it’s no longer buttermilk. Today, it’s delicious, nutrient rich, ice-cold milk served in a glass quart bottle.
The American Dairy Association of Indiana and its Indiana dairy farm families are responsible for ensuring that the Victory Circle tradition endures and prospers. In fact, Sports Illustrated magazine has recognized the bottle of milk given annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 as No. 1 among the "sports world's coolest prizes."

I have to admit one of my guilty pleasures is reruns of Seinfeld. I have seen every episode at least five times and can relate my daily experiences to one of the episodes. Kramer, George, Elaine, Jerry…love them all. Since it is the Holiday Season, we are quickly approaching ‘Festivus.’ According to the Seinfeld show, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23rd. However many people celebrate it other times in December and even at other times throughout the year.

The slogan of Festivus is “A Festivus for the rest of us!” You might ask, what does this tradition involve? Here are the basic components of Festivus:

Those attending Festivus may also participate in the “Air of Grievances, “an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year. This can’t end badly. (sarcasm) I feel like most family gatherings, sooner or later, end up in some type of Airing of Grievances!

A Festivus Dinner is usually included. The official beverage of Festivus is chocolate milk (wink, wink) so make sure serve that with your dinner.

Finish the evening with the “Feats of Strengths” where the head of the household must be pinned. And who wouldn’t want to pin someone (especially the head of the household) during the Holidays?

Festivus is a silly way to let your hair down and enjoy the Season. Your family might have their own traditions that are a bit ‘out there’ but are near and dear to your heart. However you celebrate the Holidays, enjoy friends and family! Treat your body well by eating nutritious food and keep active each day. Be thankful for what you have and TRY to relax and ‘de-stress’ to gear up for the New Year! “And if you get frustrated this Holiday season, just remember, ‘It’s a Festivus for the rest of us!”.